Berkeley solar revolution begins

This is one revolution the Che Guevara probably did not have in mind.

"I'm a guinea pig, but there's no way I could have afforded solar otherwise," said Jeanne Pimentel, an editor who has 11 solar panels on her Allston Way home. "Because of this, I can help solve our energy problem without putting any money up front."

Berkeley's program allows property owners to pay for solar panels through a 20-year assessment on their property taxes. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. rebates and new tax breaks guaranteed in the federal stimulus package reduce the cost further, so most homeowners begin saving on electric bills immediately.

Twelve states, including New York, Washington and Colorado, and 50 California cities, including San Francisco and San Diego, are following Berkeley's model and are closely watching how the program unfolds.

The assessment is tied to the house - not to the owner - and the cost benefits are immediate and significant. This is a big deal.